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Minnesotans are rallying after days of protests and courtroom developments over the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by federal agents, with tensions heightened following President Donald Trump‘s warning to the Minneapolis mayor that he was “playing with fire” for insisting local authorities would refrain from enforcing federal immigration laws.

Trump faulted Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey for reiterating the position of local leaders that the city would not enforce immigration laws. “Could somebody in his inner sanctum please explain that this statement is a very serious violation of the Law, and that he is PLAYING WITH FIRE!” Trump said on Truth Social.

In response, Frey wrote on X that the “job of our police is to keep people safe” and “not enforce fed immigration laws.”

Trump’s message comes after he said he intended to “de-escalate a little bit” in Minneapolis following the shooting deaths of Pretti and Renee Nicole Good, both U.S. citizens, by federal agents earlier this month. The two immigration officers who opened fire on Pretti have been placed on administrative leave, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Meanwhile, a federal judge in Minneapolis said on Wednesday that it was the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement that was flouting the law by ignoring dozens of federal court orders during the immigration enforcement surge this month.

While canceling a contempt-of-court hearing for acting ICE chief Todd Lyons, after the agency belatedly complied with an order to release a wrongly detained man from Ecuador, U.S. District Judge Patrick Schiltz listed at least 96 court orders he said ICE has violated in 74 cases.

Judge bars DHS from arresting refugees in Minnesota

A federal judge in Minnesota issued a temporary restraining order Wednesday barring Homeland Security from arresting or detaining refugees in the state and ordering the agency to release any refugees in agency custody. 

U.S. District Judge John R. Tunheim issued the restraining order in connection with a class action lawsuit brought by refugees living in Minnesota who said they were detained and held by Homeland Security without a “warrant or justification,” according to court filings.

The judge’s order reaffirms the legal status that refugees have in the United States and questions the legality of a new Homeland Security policy, Operation PARRIS, which calls for the agency “to target and reexamine the legal status” of the 5,600 refugees living in Minnesota who are not permanent residents.

Reports: New video shows Pretti scuffle with agents days before shooting

A new video reportedly shows Pretti in a heated encounter with federal agents about 11 days before the deadly shooting.

The video shared by Trump, as well as major news networks including NBC News and CBS News, shows Pretti kicking out the rear taillight of a vehicle before being tackled by agents. Video footage does not include the moments leading up to the heated encounter. 

A Pretti family representative told CBS News that the family knew about the incident and that Pretti sustained injuries, but did not receive medical care. The family could not be immediately reached for comment. 

Democrats demand reform of Homeland Security as shutdown looms

Senate Democrats, in the wake of Pretti’s death, have outlined three main demands for reforming Homeland Security ahead of an increasingly likely partial government shutdown.

They want Trump to end sweeping immigration checks known as “roving patrols,” demand more accountability for ICE and Border Patrol, including independent investigations and stricter use-of-force standards; and want officers to remove their masks and use body-worn cameras.

If congressional Republicans and the White House don’t negotiate over those requests, another funding crisis is imminent, warned Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. Read more here.

– Zachary Schermele

Contributing: Charles Ventura and Thao Nguyen, USA TODAY; Reuters